The Bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force released the following statement on the EPA’s Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for use of ethylene oxide by commercial sterilizers:
The EPA’s announcement is an important, yet long overdue step toward issuing stricter regulations of ethylene oxide (EtO) to keep our communities safe. Three years ago, the EPA reclassified EtO as a known carcinogen and, therefore the agency should have immediately begun the rulemaking process to enact proper safeguards for its use. We look forward to working with the EPA to enact science-based regulations that protect our districts from exposure to EtO, and we strongly urge the agency to be more transparent and engaged with the public during this rulemaking process. The bipartisan EtO task force intends to submit comments to the EPA as a part of the 60-day period.
The Bipartisan Congressional Ethylene Oxide Task Force is comprised of Members who represent communities across the country affected by ethylene oxide emissions and include Rep. David Scott (D-GA), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Jody Hice (R-GA), Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA).
